Do I need insurance for a model aircraft in Germany?
In short
Yes. German law treats model aircraft as aircraft, and under section 43 of the Air Traffic Act (Luftverkehrsgesetz) the keeper must hold liability insurance. Your personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) often covers a model aircraft up to a weight limit. If not, you need insurance through a model flying association from about 42 euros a year.
Association membership with liability, basic tariff, adults
42 euros a year, 54 euros from 2027
Association, higher tariffs up to 150 kg
about 56 to 67 euros a year, about 68 to 79 euros from 2027
Young members
about 12 to 37 euros a year
Own drone and model liability policy, private
mostly under 50 euros a year
Registration with the Federal Aviation Office
20 euros
Figures from association and test publications.
Whether your personal liability policy includes model aircraft is stated in its terms.
Norman Nammert can obtain a quote as an insurance broker.
Worked example
Glider model of 2.5 kilograms, flown in an open field
Which cover fits if you do not fly at a model airfield.
Personal liability covering models up to 5 kg
fits, often no surcharge
Association, basic tariff
does not fit, only 1 kg away from airfields
Association, higher tariff
fits, about 56 to 67 euros a year
Registration
20 euros, once per operator
With suitable personal liability cover, the model aircraft costs you only the registration fee. Otherwise the higher association tariff is the low cost solution.
Why a model aircraft must be insured
The German Air Traffic Act lists model aircraft (Flugmodelle) expressly as aircraft. So every model aircraft falls under the keeper's duty to insure in section 43 (2), whether it is a small glider or a large turbine jet.
The reason is strict liability: as keeper of a model aircraft you are liable even without fault, for example if the radio link fails or the battery dies and the model crashes onto a car.
Three ways to get covered
Many newer German personal liability policies include model aircraft and drones up to a weight limit, commonly between 250 grams and 5 kilograms. Older contracts often exclude aircraft altogether.
Model flying associations include liability cover in their membership. At one large association, the cheapest tariff covers models up to 25 kilograms on flying fields, but outside model airfields in Germany only up to 1 kilogram. Higher tariffs cover models up to 150 kilograms anywhere.
Route
Typical cost
Watch out for
Personal liability with model cover
often no surcharge
weight limit and strict liability
Association, basic tariff
about 42 euros a year
only up to 1 kg away from airfields
Association, higher tariff
about 56 to 67 euros a year
models up to 150 kg
Own policy
mostly under 50 euros a year
cover abroad
Registration and labelling
Separately from insurance, the EU drone rules require many model aircraft operators to register with the Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) once a model weighs more than 249 grams or carries a camera. It costs 20 euros for private persons. Stick the number visibly on each model.
You must carry the insurance certificate when flying. Flying without insurance is an administrative offence in Germany.
When you do not need separate model cover
If your personal liability policy already names model aircraft, a second policy adds no protection. Ask for written confirmation and check the weight limit.
Hull cover for damage to your own model is never compulsory. It is only worth considering for expensive large models or jets.
What model aircraft liability does not pay
Model aircraft liability insurance pays only for damage to others, never for the crash of your own model. Commercial use, such as paid aerial photos, is excluded from private and club tariffs. Breaking flight bans can lead to reduced payouts.
Step by step
Check the weight of your heaviest model.
Check your personal liability policy for model aircraft and the weight limit.
Decide whether you fly only at airfields or also in open fields.
If cover is missing, choose an association tariff or your own policy.
Register with the Federal Aviation Office and label your models.
Checklist
Model aircraft named explicitly in the policy terms
Weight limit covers your heaviest model
Strict keeper liability insured
Insurance certificate carried when flying
Registration done if over 249 grams or with camera
Common mistakes
Assuming a toy plane from a shop is exempt from the duty to insure
Flying heavy models in open fields on an association's basic tariff
Relying on an old personal liability policy that excludes aircraft
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I need insurance for a model under 250 grams?
Yes.
The duty to insure has no weight threshold.
Only registration is not needed under 250 grams without a camera.
Will my personal liability insurance pay?
Only if it expressly includes model aircraft up to your weight.
Ask in writing if unsure.
How high should the cover be?
The legal minimum is 750,000 units of account, about 0.9 million euros.
Association tariffs offer up to 12 million euros.
Am I insured automatically in a club?
In many clubs yes, through membership of the umbrella association.
Check whether cover applies outside the club field.
Does the cover apply on holiday?
It depends on the tariff.
Some apply across Europe, an association's basic tariff outside airfields only in Germany.
